WORK AND WAGES

Evening Star, Issue 15136, 18 March 1913, Page 6

WORK AND WAGES

COST OF ARBITRATION. IS IT WORTH WHILE? Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 17. In the Industrial Court to-day, Air- Justice Heydon said the cost of administering the Arbitration Act was enormous. He warned the unions that the situation was really serious. It was very important to prevent strikes and to settle conditions peaceably, but if they did not prevent strikes and the cost became too heavy the whole system might break. down. The public might think the price too great, and that would mean going out of the frying pan into the fire. NEAV SOUTH WALES COLLIERS’’ STRIKE. NEARLY 4.0C0 MEN OUT. INDICATIONS OF SERIOUS TROUBLE. SYDNEY. March 17. The south coast coal miners, except those at Mount Keira and Blount Kemba, struck because Mr Waugh has been appointed an industrial inspector instead of Air Russell. When Russell was dismissed an agitation arose, and a Royal Commission was appointed, who found that Russell had not broken a rule which he was alleged to have broken. The colliery owners refused to reinstate Russell, and a fresh outbreak was threatened until the State Minister of Labor (Hon. Mr Carmichael) addressed the miners, who got the impression that Russell was certain to be appointed an inspector. Mr Carmichael, however, says he informed the miners’ deputations that tho best man would he appointed. He does not control tho appointment, which rests with the Public Service Board. (Received March 18, at 9.5 a.m.) Nearly 4.000 men belonging to tho southern collieries are out, and there is every indication of a prolonged struggle. The Kembla and probably the Keira men will join the strike to-day. An aggregate meeting’of the miners has been called for Wednesday, and Mr M'Gowen and other -Ministers have been asked to attend. Much indignation is expressed at the news that an application has been made to debar Peter Bowling and other union officials addressing the meetings during the present trouble. The Delegate Board approved a resolution emphatically protesting against such determination, and affirming that none of their officials had said or done anything to justify such action. THREATENED PAINTERS’ STRIKE. LONDON, March 17. Eighteen thousand house painters in London threaten to strike for an extra Ijid per hour and a 54-hour week. THE SYDNEY GASWORKERS. SYDNEY, March 18. (Received March 18, at 9.5 a.m.) The Gas Employees’ Union, with the assent of the companies, have applied to the Arbitration Court for the cancellation of the present agreements between the parties, with a view to substituting a wages board. The hearing is not finished. WHARF LABORERS ON STRIKE. SYDNEY, March 18. (Received March 18, at 9.50 a.m.) . The loading of wheat ships in the Darling Harbor is again blocked, the wharf laborers declining to work with casual hands. MELBOURNE GAS WORKERS. MELBOURNE, March 18. (Received March 18, at 9.50 a.m.) Following the lead of the Sydney gas employees, those hero have presented a claim to the Arbitration Court involving better working conditions and higher wages. c